Angels hoping Ohtani can DH by May

The Los Angeles Angels hope to have designated hitter Shohei Ohtani back in the lineup by May, manager Brad Ausmus said Tuesday. The 2018 American League Rookie of the Year is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 1.

"We're thinking May, sometime in May, but that's assuming everything goes well," Ausmus told reporters at the spring training facility in Tempe, Ariz. ''This is new territory. We're dealing with a guy who DH's on a regular basis and is a starting pitcher. It's new territory in rehabbing a Tommy John surgery, and we want to protect him long-term being able to do both. If we have to push it back, we'll push it back.''

Ohtani became the first player since Babe Ruth in 1919 to make at least 10 pitching appearances and hit 20 or more home runs in the same season. The Japanese sensation batted .285 with 22 homers, 61 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 104 games. On the mound, the right-hander was 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 10 starts.

The Angels have been saying for months that Ohtani would not be ready by Opening Day, and he is not expected to pitch at all this season. The 24-year-old has been swinging the bat, but has yet to hit off a tee, Ausmus said.

"He's going to want to get on the field quickly because he wants to compete," said Ausmus, who is in his first season with the Angels after succeeding Mike Scioscia. --Field Level Media

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